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How to Deal With a Lost Key in Your Car It's an absolute nightmare to lose your car keys. But it's not the end of the world when you know what to do. You can either bring in evidence of ownership or a spare key to the dealer for a new one programmed. Keys can be lost in a variety of ways, which will impact the ease or difficulty it is to replace them. 1. Keys That Are Worn Out Over time, keys to cars are subjected to a lot of wear. They are frequently inserted into locks and pockets, jiggling around and rubbed against each other. This causes them to lose their shape, which can cause them to stop fitting into the ignition cylinder correctly. If this occurs, the key will either become stuck or will not turn. It can be a hassle in both instances. It's a good thing that you can avoid this from happening by creating extra copies of your car key when it's new. You can then rotate them to lessen the wear on each one. You can also use the spare key if you lose your car keys. You may also need to replace your key fob in case it has stopped working properly. As you know, these are very handy to have and can perform many things including unlocking your doors and launching your engine, to triggering the alarm. keys lost for car can happen for a variety of reasons, but most often it's because the button has worn out. They are small delicate and are often tossed around in your bag or pocket. The buttons could easily be broken or worn down. In this situation you should look into every possible place, including your bag, jacket, and places you would not normally put them (like in the shoe shine box). Next, contact your dealer to find out if they have an extra key available. If not, they'll order one for you and have it fitted to your vehicle. This isn't cheap but it's a lot better than the alternative. You can minimize the risk by not adding any other items to your key ring, and by regularly lubricating your lock and key. This will ensure that both last longer and perform as they should. It's also recommended to keep an extra key in a secure location in your home, such as with family or friends, so you'll always have it available when you need it. 2. Damaged Lock If you can turn the key, but it isn't able to fit into the lock, there may be an issue with the lock. The tumblers of the lock could be clogged by dirt and debris, which could make the mechanism feel stiff. Locksmiths can make use of an oil-lubricated tool to clean and lubricate the lock. This will make it feel more comfortable. A car lock that doesn't turn could have been jammed by force. A burglar might have used a tool, such as a bump key or a pick to open the door open. If you find evidence of this on the door handle, take your vehicle to a professional locksmith as soon as possible. The locksmith can fix the damage and prevent further issues. Some locksmiths provide a service that disables your old key inside the vehicle. This makes it much more difficult for someone to steal your vehicle. You'll need proof of your identity as well as proof that you have ownership of the vehicle before this can be done. A V5C form that has your name on it will typically be accepted. It is also advisable to keep an extra car key in your trunk or on your person in case you lose it. A spare key will help you get on the road faster and also save you money by preventing from needing to call locksmith. Based on the type of car and key, you may need to contact a locksmith to replace it. Dealerships will provide you with an alternative key, however it could cost you an additional towing fee and can take a few days to make. A professional locksmith will be able to produce a key much quicker and less expensive. They may even be able program it to work with your vehicle automatically. They can also provide a range of services to ensure your vehicle is safe, such as the door seal kit and alarms against theft. Visit PolicyBachat to find out more about the services they offer. 3. Clogged Ignition Cylinder Over time, the ignition cylinder and key can wear out. A worn out cylinder may jam or bind when inserted, removed, or turned, which could cause problems in starting and powering up your vehicle. It is normal for these issues to progress slowly and get more severe over time as the cylinder continues to wear. One of the most frequent symptoms of this issue is when the key can't be inserted into the lock or not able to rotate in the ignition cylinder. This is a clear indication that your cylinder has gotten worn out and needs to be replaced. It is possible to replace the cylinder on your own, but it's usually best to seek out an expert. The ignition cylinder consists of a small cylindrical piece of metal which is contained inside the lock housing for the cylinder. It contains two tumblers. Each tumbler is assigned a certain position that is only compatible with the key bumps that are appropriate. In time, tumblers could get worn out or clogged with dirt. In order to fix this, you will have to clean the ignition cylinder port. This can be accomplished with the use of a small bottle of graphite lubricant. You can buy this product at your local auto parts store. Follow the instructions on the bottle. Remove the dashboard and steering wheel covers from your vehicle. This will allow you to have a clearer view of the cylinder port. Find a pin into the back of the cylinder. This is a security feature that protects your vehicle from being stolen. If the ignition cylinder isn't able to turn, you'll have to take off the pin that holds it to allow it to slide out of the housing. The procedure is easy enough, but it requires a bit of patience. Before drilling the pin, ensure that the pin is in the accessory position. You could also cause damage to your car's electrical or electronic systems if you drill in the wrong place. Before drilling, make sure to mark the portion of the drill bit protruding from the keyway using tape. This acts as a warning to stop you from damaging the cylinder drilling too deeply. 4. Locked out If you've accidentally locked your keys in your vehicle, the first thing to do is try not to get scared. Stay calm. You may think you're in a bind but there are a variety of solutions to get back into your car without damaging windows or calling a tow truck. You can use shoelaces packaging tape, bobbypins or Slim Jims to get back into your vehicle. It's important to note that not all methods work, and you may require help from a professional in some instances. The most important thing is to look for the least destructive solution first. You might not like the idea of a stranger helping you unlock your car, but if you're in an emergency situation, it may be the best solution. It's worth noting that a lot of roadside assistance plans, like the NRMA provide members with the option of entering their vehicle without keys. Relax, and then walk around your car's exterior to see if you have your keys in any of the doors or in the trunk. When you're in a rush, it's easy to overlook something as basic as the door handle or rearview mirror. Make sure you check everywhere. If you're still not able to unlock your car, stay calm and call an acquaintance or a neighbor who's nearby for help. A stranger may be willing to help if they don't wish to leave you stranded. If they're not able to assist you, you may want to contact roadside assistance. You can also determine if your insurance covers this. To avoid a locked out key in the future, be sure you check your car manufacturer's app or use a smart device turn your phone into a key fob. You can also purchase a key safe that is magnetic to store your spare keys in, which will keep them safe from thieves and hidden from.